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Forbes-Robinson Rises To Challenge, Checkered Flag

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Elliott Forbes-Robinson, middle, hoists a toast with his fellow drivers after his win in the Klub Sport Porsche Challenge at the Historic Fall Classic at Sebring International Raceway on Friday.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: December 6, 2008

Updated:

SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY - Elliott Forbes-Robinson showed that age and experience can be all the edge a driver needs at a famed raceway.

The 65-year old driver from Glenwood Springs, Colo., posted the fastest lap (2:24.738) and held off a late charge by Roger Johnson to drive his 1970 Porsche 914/6 GT to the winner's circle in the Klub Sport Porsche Challenge in the opening race of the Sebring Historic Fall Classic at Sebring International Raceway on Friday.

The youthful Forbes-Robinson had a celebratory toast on the podium and then talked about his love for the historic track.

"My dad first drove here back in 1956 and I remember being here at Sebring with him and I came here as a driver for the first time in 1973, so I've had a fondness for this track for a long time," Forbes-Robinson said. "I've had some good finishes here and a few podiums and I always look forward to coming back to Sebring whenever I can."

Forbes-Robinson, a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, has had 51 major victories in his road-racing career and has wins in five consecutive decades. He also won the inaugural American Le Mans championship with teammate Butch Leitzinger for Dyson Racing in 1999.

The Hall of Fame driver has driven on four generations of the Sebring International Raceway and has seen the track mature into one of the most unique courses in the world.

"This is one of the toughest tracks in the world and as a driver, you always want that challenge of trying to tame this track," Forbes-Robinson said. "When you win at Sebring, it's always special."

On Friday, Forbes-Robinson edged out Johnson, who posted a time of 2:25.068 followed by Kevin Wheeler of Delray Beach, who came in third with a time of 2:25.274.

The Klub Sport Porsche Challenge was just the opening race in a full weekend of racing at Sebring Raceway, as the Historic Fall Classic is in high gear.

Vintage racing enthusiasts have descended on the historic track to watch their favorite cars from years past and the event culminates today with the running of the HSR Four Hours of Sebring.

This weekend marks the season finale for the Historic Sportscar Racing series and drivers in several different divisions are still chasing the series championship on the season's final days.

The Four Hours of Sebring gives the drivers and fans one last dash around the track as the sun sets on another racing season.

Racing begins at 8:30 a.m. today with the Four Hours of Sebring starting at 12:15 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate.

FOUR HOURS OF SEBRING

TODAY at 12:15 p.m.

Races begin at 8:30 a.m.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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